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Tressel: OSU-Badger hype maxed out before Buckeyes hit No.1

October 12, 2010

COLUMBUS Top-ranked Ohio State does not expect its recent elevation to No. 1 to add any motivational fuel to the opposition as the Buckeyes prepare for a Big Ten showdown with No. 18 Wisconsin this weekend.

Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel said during his Tuesday afternoon news conference that the long-anticipated matchup with the Badgers had likely maxed out on hype before Ohio State moved up to No. 1 in Sunday's polls.

"They were going to be ready if we were (ranked) 15th," Tressel said. "What's most critical is our readiness, and how we handle adversity."

Ohio State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) will be playing away from home for just the second time this season. The Buckeyes were pushed hard by Illinois before prevailing 24-13 on the road two weeks ago.

"Hopefully we've learned some lessons as to the difficulty of the task," Tressel said about taking his team to Camp Randall Stadium to face Wisconsin (5-1, 1-1). "I would expect it to be as difficult a challenge as we've seen."